The effects of an ice storm led to the loss of electricity to my house one morning. Late that night, as we returned home from showering in a nearby athletic facility, we pulled into our street and saw our lights were back on. Yea! We hadn’t realized how dependent we were on electric power until we lost it, and we resolved not to take it for granted again.
The episode reminded me of the Holy Spirit, who is the power of God in our lives. He is God Himself, the third Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), and He dwells within all of us who believe in Jesus. We are traveling temples, for our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in [us]” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ, joining us with other believers who “share the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13) so that we become one united “temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
The Spirit made us alive when we were dead in sin (Titus 3:5), then sealed us to guarantee that we will persevere to the end (Ephesians 1:13-14; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). The Spirit “shows us God’s deep secrets . . . so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). He groans for us when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26), and He fills us so we may understand God’s Word and obey (Ephesians 5:18; Philippians 2:12-13).
There isn’t enough space in this article to discuss how He gifts us to serve His church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11,28; Ephesians 4:11), but from the above thoughts we can understand why Jesus said it was better that He leave us and send the Spirit to take His place. It’s easy to take the unassuming yet dependable Spirit for granted, but it’s impossibly hard to live without Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 22:30–23:22
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 to learn who the Holy Spirit is and what He does for us.
Next:
Where do you need the Spirit’s help today? Tell Him you’re counting on Him, and don’t forget to include areas you might take for granted.
Gary Shultz on November 12, 2014 at 6:50 am
I am thankful for our helper from heaven. We need to utilize His help and guidance more. We need to be aware of His presence and understand His holiness. Thank you
adoptedbygod on November 12, 2014 at 9:25 am
I attend a prayer meeting at my church on Tuesday and we were just discussing how we need the power of the Holy Spirit working through us so that we can be the servants of God that listen for the voice of God and then being obedient to do all that He instructs us to do for the Kingdom of God. I pray that the Holy Spirit will empower me with a fire down in my soul for lost souls so that I will live a life that displays the character of Jesus Christ and more people will accept Jesus as their Savior. I know God has designed each and every child of God with great potential. I pray that I will allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life to accomplish all that God has created me to do for His Kingdom. Thank you for this article today.
Mike Wittmer on November 13, 2014 at 8:50 am
It’s amazing but true. It really is better for us that Jesus go away so He can send us His Spirit. We are indwelt and empowered by God!